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Eugene J. Burbige, MD; Francis D. Milligan, MD
Johns Hopkins Medical School Baltimore

JAMA. 1975;234(2):151.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

In Reply.—

Although the use of corticosteroids in the treatment of severe antibiotic-associated colitis is well documented (47% of case reports),1 its effectiveness has never been proved by careful study. The use of steroids, as in many other instances, has been empirical. Despite their use, several patients have required surgery or died.^1-5

In an illness in which the cause is unknown, our report was not meant to discourage the use of any therapy that might be helpful. Because of their anti-inflammatory properties, the use of corticosteroids in severely ill patients has always been justified for inflammatory conditions of the colon. However, it is our hope that cholestyramine resin will prove useful, give us a better understanding of this disorder, and obviate the need for steroids. . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

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